If you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for the next big challenge. One of my goals that I had since I was younger was to run a marathon before I was 30. Through some hard work and dedication, I completed the Baltimore Marathon when I was 29 and 8 months. Then I felt like running wasn’t enough so I took on obstacle course racing. I completed my Spartan Trifecta before I turned 31. Now what? I thought to myself, “you know what would be crazy? What if you competed in bodybuilding physique?” Yea…this skinny runner guy trying to get swole. Funny right?

Look at that skinny dude!!! I was able to ease into things a little bit. I found out really fast that if I wanted to do well at obstacle course races like Spartan Race, I needed to be stronger. So I started lifting weights so I could at least get the sandbags off the ground at the Herculean Hoist. I also found out that I was never going to put on weight running as much as I was. So I cut out cardio almost completely. I also needed to EAT! Without a calorie surplus, I was never going to get any bigger. That’s just science. I’ve managed to accumulate a small home gym over the years, so religiously I spent my nights after work down in my basement. Sometimes I was down there at midnight finishing at one in the morning. I chose this because 1) I don’t to compromise time with my daughter and 2) I worked late and it was my only choice. A year and a half has gone by since I started this journey. I put on 35lb and managed to keep a relatively low bodyfat percentage in the mid teens. So now what?

No one is going to do well in a physique competition with bodyfat in the mid teens. So my cutting diet started six weeks ago. I put myself on a strict macro calorie diet. I’ve lost 10lb in those six weeks, most of prob water weight. I have a limit for how many carbs and fat I can eat per day as well as maintaining a caloric deficit. I’ve managed to cut out all foods with added sugar completely. I’ve also put cardio back into my routine to work on getting cut. The trick is losing weight at about 1-2 lb per week. This is so I can lose bodyfat without losing muscle mass. I’ve done hours of research on this and I’ve managed to get sponsored by a local tanning salon which has a team that competes in bodybuilding competitions. Those guys have been a tremendous resource and inspiration to me and I hope to make them proud.

Sticking to a diet that leaves me absolutely exhausted and without pizza has been killing me. This isn’t a post to boast about myself. I’m not looking for pats on the back. My goals are just that, MY goals. I set out to do something that seemed impossible for me at the time. It isn’t until I look at myself from a year and a half ago that I realize how far I’ve come. Maybe there’s a goal that you’ve always wanted to achieve. Maybe there is that one thing you’ve always wanted to do but it seems impossible. I think anything is possible if you are willing to put in the work to get there. If there is one thing that Spartan Race has taught me, it’s that your body is capable of far more than you give it credit for. On October 1, I step on stage for my first ever physique competition. I hope I do well, but even if I don’t, I will know that I accomplished something far greater than any trophy or medal. I will have done what seemed impossible for me. AROO!